New MS drug could repair nerve damage – FDA clears key trial
For a long time, multiple sclerosis treatment has meant one thing. To keep the immune system from attacking the nervous system. Now a drug taking direct aim at the damage itself has just cleared an FDA hurdle. Quantum Biopharma Ltd. has received FDA clearance in the US to begin its phase two trial of Lucid-MS, a first of its kind medicine, made to protect and repair the myelin sheath that MS…
Quantum Biopharma Ltd. has secured FDA clearance to commence phase two trials of Lucid-MS, a groundbreaking drug designed to repair and protect the myelin sheath, a primary target of multiple sclerosis (MS). Unlike existing MS medications that merely suppress the immune system, Lucid-MS aims directly at the nerve damage caused by MS. Dr. Taleb Rooeintan of Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi Hospital sees this as part of a growing trend in MS research, which now prioritizes treatments that address nerve damage rather than just inflammation.
However, he emphasizes that while this represents a scientific breakthrough, it is not yet a proven cure. Dr. Rooeintan clarifies that reversing existing disabilities caused by MS is not guaranteed by this investigational treatment, as the effectiveness depends on the extent and duration of the neurological damage and the patient's individual disease progression.
He cautions against assuming that this therapy can reverse established disability, emphasizing the need for cautious optimism. For patients in the UAE, Dr. Rooeintan suggests viewing Lucid-MS as an important development in MS research rather than an immediate solution. MS research in the UAE is experiencing a significant surge. Yasmine Mitwally, Research & Advocacy Manager at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in the UAE, notes that local MS research has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years.
The UAE, classified as a moderate-to-high risk zone for MS, sees the average age of diagnosis at 26 years, with women being three times more likely to be diagnosed than men. This disparity remains unexplained, and NMSS aims to fill this knowledge gap with increased research efforts. In 2025, NMSS allocated 11 million AED specifically for MS research, making it the sole dedicated funding cycle for MS research in the country.
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